AN overjoyed mum and dad could not have wished for a better Christmas present than the one they received this week.

For their son, meningitis victim David Merry, was reunited with his parents after coming back from the 'dead'.

David was affected by the killer disease, together with his Abbey Village CP School classmate Michael Turner, last week.

Michael, of Bury Lane, Withnell, returned home from hospital over a week ago and is on the way to recovery.

David's father Nigel Merry, 36, told The Citizen from his Bolton Road home, Abbey Village, that his son suffered two cardiac arrests last Friday, the day he was rushed into hospital -- his sixth birthday.

He said: "We're relieved and glad to have him home, but he's tired."

Mr Merry and his wife Susan, 35, hope David will be able to go back to school before Christmas. He thanked all the medical staff at Royal Preston and Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester, where David received treatment.

He added: "He's glad to be home so he can have a new bike and play with his dog Yorkie.

"When you are doing Christmas lists it just pales into insignificance. It's the best Christmas present ever. HOME: Michael pictured last week